The complex role religion plays in immigrant adaptation and integration.

In recent decades the ebb and flow of immigration to Canada has changed significantly, with the majority of immigrants coming from non-European countries. A striking feature of this shift is that a significant proportion of immigrants are non-Christians newly immersed in a society entrenched in Christian ideals.

In Different Gods, Raymond Breton looks at the significance of religious differences and what they mean for immigrants, non-immigrants, and Canada's future. Breton examines the evolution over time of the religious attitudes and behaviour of the new minorities and the challenges that their presence poses to the receiving society. The analysis consists of a review of recent research and formulates possible conclusions about the transformations that integration may bring about for both the minorities and the receiving society.

An important analysis of immigration in an era of rapidly changing social values, Different Gods looks boldly into issues of collective identity and cultural accommodation.

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“Issues related to immigration, religion, integration, and accommodation have moved to centre stage in Canadian legal, political, and cultural debates. Raymond Breton has an excellent grasp of the key issues and Different Gods provides a timely survey of the current body of sociological research in this field.” Dan Cere, Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University

Raymond Breton is professor emeritus of sociology, University of Toronto.